More than 70 long-serving employees of the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) were honoured at a special ceremony recognising their years of dedicated service.
BBK Group chief executive officer Yaser Alsharifi lauded the bank’s workforce for their unwavering dedication and ‘sense of family’, describing the institution’s recent milestones – including the successful integration of HSBC’s retail portfolio – as a direct result of collective teamwork.
Speaking at the bank’s annual service awards ceremony held at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa, Mr Alsharifi emphasised that the bank has moved beyond the transition phase to become a single, cohesive entity.
“There is no longer an HSBC team and a BBK team – we are one team,” Mr Alsharifi said. “Any hiccups, such as those regarding allowance revisions, have been sorted out. There is no differentiation between those who continue to perform and meet our goals.”
The Group CEO noted that BBK’s new business plan and strategy have gained significant traction, positioning the bank as a market leader. He confirmed that strategic alignment and merger discussions with NBB have gained substantial momentum, driven by a unified purpose.
“The reason I feel we are ‘across the line’ is because of your support and many years of dedication,” he told employees, crediting the staff for BBK’s status as a ‘champion’ across various business metrics.
The ceremony saw the recognition of 73 long-serving employees who have completed milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service. Each recipient received commemorative awards in recognition of their pivotal role in the bank’s success.
BBK Group chief human resources officer Sarah Jamal highlighted that the bank’s progress has been shaped by teams who bring experience and loyalty to an evolving sector.
“At BBK, we believe that investing in people is central to sustainable institutional growth,” Ms Jamal said. “Our employees are key partners in every stage of the bank’s development, and this recognition reflects our appreciation of their vital role in supporting our future plans.”
Mr Alsharifi also extended his gratitude to the families of the employees, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made to support the bank’s rigorous growth trajectory.
“I want to ensure that families get recognised. We spend a lot of time with this work family, sometimes at the cost of our own,” he added.
Looking ahead, the Group CEO expressed total confidence in the bank’s path as it prepares for its next phase of growth and transformation within Bahrain’s financial sector.
Meanwhile, Hassan Abdulla, an external collector from the remedial department and data centre shift leader Mohamed Ali A Ghaffar were the two employees honoured for 30 years of service with the bank yesterday.
“Thirty years ago, I started my journey at BBK, and today, I am truly humbled to reach this milestone,” Mr Abdulla told the GDN.
“This institution has been more than just a workplace; it has been a second home where I’ve grown alongside incredible colleagues. I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me over the years and proud to be part of the BBK family.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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